Early Settlers: Read by David Cresson, HMB History Association

Half Moon Bay developed around one historic house still in existence, the Zaballa House, which has since been remodeled into a picturesque bed and breakfast inn. This historic building was built by Mr. Zaballa, the town’s first merchant. He was savvy in developing real estate and deeply involved in the urban layout of today’s downtown business district. Spanishtown, as it was called at the time, was but one small town in the commercial explosion that formed today’s California.

This podcast features author David Cresson reading an excerpt from his book Half Moon Bay’s Turning Points: Through The Windows Of The Zaballa House. From the Native-Americans to the Spanish explorers, through the Gold Rush, railroads, and rise of mass agriculture, comes the story of Half Moon Bay. Get the book here!